Best Family Friendly Hotels in London for a Jolly Good Stay

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Family Friendly hotels to stay in London - View of London Street
Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

London is a wonderful city full of culture and unique activities. It is very tourist-friendly and easy to navigate, making it one of the best international places to visit with kids.

Both of my daughters have spent a college semester in London. They explored as much of the city and surrounding areas as possible. I’ve also visited the city many times myself; it’s one of my favorite places in the world! If you’ve got a trip planned to London in the future, here are some great London family hotels for a fun family getaway abroad.

Family Friendly hotels to stay in London - Storefronts in Covent Garden
Storefronts in Covent Garden. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

1. The Resident Hotel SOHO

We stayed at The Resident Hotel on our most recent trip to London last fall. We managed to get four adults in the room with no problem. This is a boutique hotel in SoHo. SoHo is a great location for easy access to the best London offers. This hotel has plenty of restaurants, bars, and pubs and is within walking distance of many must-see sights. If you want to stay close to the action and entertainment, SoHo is a great area to stay in, and this is a great hotel option.

Why it is great:

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Family Friendly hotels to stay in London - Iconic London cab parked on Regent Street
Iconic London cab parked on Regent Street. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

2. The Bailey’s Hotel London Kensington

My sister-in-law stayed here with her two daughters on a recent trip to London and raved to me about how much she loved this deluxe hotel. The Bailey’s Hotel is a Millennium Hotels and Resorts location in central London in Kensington. This is a very nice part of the city to stay in, and you will be close to Hyde Park and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). Other tourist destinations in London are easily accessible via the Tube from Kensington.

Why it is great:

  • In Kensington
  • Concierge
  • Multilingual staff (located in the French area of London)
  • Room service
  • Restaurant and bar
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Spacious family rooms available
  • Stylish rooms decorated with English craftsmanship
  • Across the street from Gloucester Tube station (Circle, Piccadilly, and District lines)
  • 15-minute walk to the V&A and Natural History Museum
  • 15-minute walk to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens 

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3. DoubleTree by Hilton London– Hyde Park

My daughters stayed at this hotel last summer. We picked it because it is in a safe neighborhood on the opposite side of Hyde Park from Kensington and close to Notting Hill and the weekend Portabello Road Market. It is a standard DoubleTree hotel and offers several different room options.

Why it is great:

  • On Bayswater Road
  • Parking
  • Free wifi
  • Air conditioning
  • Restaurant with children’s menu
  • Breakfast
  • No smoking
  • Bike rentals
  • Bag storage
  • Fitness center
  • Across the street from Hyde Park
  • Close to Notting Hill
  • Short walk to Bayswater and Notting Hill Gate tube station
  • 10-minute walk to Kensington Palace
  • 25-minute Tube ride to Trafalgar Square

CHECK PRICES/AVAILABILITY

Family Friendly hotels to stay in London - View of Kensington Gardens
View of Kensington Gardens. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

4. Mercure London Paddington Hotel

One of the easiest ways to get from Heathrow Airport into London is on the Heathrow Express, which drops visitors off at the Paddington train station. If you want to stay close to Paddington station to prevent having to figure out how to get from the train to another hotel, there are plenty of hotel options around the station. The Mercure London is a great option for staying in this area.

Why it is great:

  • In Paddington
  • Complimentary water
  • Free soft drinks
  • Free wifi
  • Air conditioning
  • Free newspaper
  • Pet friendly
  • Next to Paddington train and Tube station (Bakerloo, Circle, and District lines)
  • 12-minute walk to Hyde Park
  • 25-minute trip to Westminster Abbey via the Tube

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5. Millenium and Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea Football Club

This is a great place to stay if you or someone in your family is a football fan, especially a Chelsea FC fan. It is a Millenium hotel group located right next to Chelsea Football Stadium. This is a great place to stay if you want to see a match or tour the stadium while the team is away. They even have special rooms decked out in Chelsea FC decor for those super fans wanting to stay here.

Why it is great:

  • In Chelsea
  • Free wifi
  • Hotel bar and restaurant
  • Smart TV
  • Sofa bed options
  • Next to Chelsea football stadium
  • Chelsea fan club rooms are available
  • 5-minute walk to Fulham Broadway tube station (Circle Line)
  • 20-minute bike ride to the Battersea Power Station 
  • 20-minutes to Battersea Park via the Tube

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6. Ibis London Earl’s Court

My oldest daughter’s study abroad group stayed here, and she thought it was a great option for people looking for a place to stay in London. Ibis hotels are a chain found throughout Europe. In addition to this one, my daughter also stayed at one in Paris. They are great for travelers on a budget.

Why it is great:

  • In Earl’s Court
  • Budget-friendly
  • Parking
  • Wifi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurant and bar
  • Accessible
  • 15 minutes to the V&A, Natural History and Science Museum via Tube
  • Short walk to Earl’s Court Tube station ( Picadilly and District lines)
  • Short walk to West Brompton station (overground and southern railway)

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7. DoubleTree by Hilton London– Victoria

If you want to travel outside London on little day trips while there, there are many fun cities from one of London’s train stations like Kings Cross, Waterloo, Paddington, and Victoria. Staying near one of these train stations can be convenient.

London’s Victoria Station is centrally located near Buckingham Palace and Westminster, where the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are. There are several options of places to stay in this area, and the DoubleTree is a great place for those wanting to stay close to the major tourist sights London offers while still being able to easily explore the great sights outside of the city.  My husband and I stayed at this hotel during our most recent visit. You can’t beat the proximity to the train station!

Why it is great:

  • Located between Belgravia and Westminster
  • Next to the Victoria train and Tube station
  • Free wifi
  • Room service
  • Interconnecting rooms
  • Fitness center
  • Room service
  • Accessible
  • 20-minute walk to Buckingham Palace
  • 20-minute walk to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben
  • Several London bus tours leave from Victoria Station
  • 15-minute bike ride to the London Eye and South Bank

CHECK PRICES/AVAILABILITY

8. Yotel London Shoreditch

Yotel is a fun and trendy hotel chain found internationally. Shoreditch is a trendy part of London known for creative pursuits of art and theater. Yotel Shoreditch is across the street from the Young Victoria and Albert Museum and Gardens.

The trendy scene in Shoreditch means plenty of bars and restaurants are nearby. And you aren’t far from one of London’s most popular tourist destinations, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Go from Tower Bridge across the Thames and enjoy the London skyline from the top of the Shard. This would be a great hotel to stay at if you’re traveling with older teens or young adults.

Why it is great:

  • In Shoreditch
  • Budget-friendly
  • Fitness center
  • Rent a Lumie light option
  • Digital check-in “mission control” consoles
  • Non-smoking
  • Free wifi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast  
  • Bag storage
  • Bike rentals
  • Children’s activities
  • Bethnal Green Tube station (Central line)
  • Across from the Young V&A
  • 20-minutes to The Tower of London and Tower Bridge  via Tube
  • 20 minutes to the Borough Market and Southwark via Tube
  • 10-Minutes to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Millenium Bridge via Tube

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9. The Kensington Hotel

This five-star hotel is located in the posh neighborhood of South Kensington, and my husband and I stayed here when our oldest daughter finished her study abroad in London several years ago. It is a gorgeous hotel close to many major tourist destinations. Several restaurants, cafes, and bakeries are within a short walk of this hotel. It is great for those looking for a more luxurious place to stay while exploring London.

Why it is great:

  • In South Kensington
  • Luxury accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • Bag storage
  • Butler service
  • Laundry service
  • Toiletries
  • Fitness center
  • Bike rentals
  • 5-minute walk to the South Kensington Tube station
  • 10-minute walk to the V&A and Natural History Museum
  • 15-minute walk to Royal Albert Hall
  • 20-minute walk to Harrods and surrounding shops

CHECK PRICES/AVAILABILITY

Family Friendly hotels to stay in London - Iconic London phone booth
Iconic London phone booth. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

10. The Landmark London

If you want to stay in one of London’s luxury hotels, that is great for children, The Landmark is one of London’s best family-friendly hotels. By purchasing a family package when booking a room at this hotel, you will be provided with tents, teddy bears, and headlamps to use during your stay. And if you are traveling with infants, they have kits with bottle warmers and plug safety covers. They have many spacious room options available, and you can request extra roll-away beds for 60 pounds extra. Located in posh Marylebone, you are not far from Mayfair and its Michelin-starred dining and shopping options.

Why it is great:

  • In Marylebone
  • Luxury accommodations
  • Roll away cots upon request for an added cost
  • Family packages available with toys for children
  • Activities for kids
  • Afternoon tea
  • Onsite spa with swimming pool
  • Bathrobes
  • Restaurant and bar
  • Wifi
  • Air conditioning
  • Indoor pool
  • 10-minute walk to the Edgeware Road Tube station (Circle, Hammersmith, and District lines)
  • 10-minute walk to the Regent’s Park
  • Close to London Zoo
  • 10-minute walk to Madame Tussauds
  • 15-minutes to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery via Tube
  • Close to London Euston train station with access to the Harry Potter studio tour 

CHECK PRICES/AVAILABILITY

London is one of my favorite cities because there is so much to do and see for the whole family to enjoy. It is a place I have visited with my family several times and a great place for a family vacation. There are many different London hotels and neighborhoods to choose from, depending on what you want from your trip.

Melissa Mortenson is the founder and primary content creator for the Polka Dot Chair blog which is in its 14th year of sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers. Its goal is to inspire makers and bring families closer together through craft and DIY projects. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love” from Stash Books. Her first fabric line “Derby Style” was released in January 2015 by Riley Blake Designs.It has been followed in subsequent years by 14 other designer fabric collections. Her work has been featured in 3 books, several magazines, and numerous DIY blogs and news sites. She is also a regular contributor to her local FOX news morning show. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.
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